Florida Sales Tax Holiday Begins Saturday

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida's annual Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday gives residents some relief as they get their storm kits together.

On June 1, the first day of a projected very active Atlantic hurricane season, certain items like generators, batteries and pet supplies will be available for purchase without added sales tax.

Floridians looking to put together a disaster supply kit can find a list of suggested items on the Florida Division of Emergency Management website.

The first round of the sales tax holiday runs from June 1 to June 14. A second Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is set for August 24 to September 6, which coincides with the peak of hurricane season.

"Disaster can strike at any time. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and fires are frequent threats to people and property. The beginning of hurricane season is a good time for Floridians to gather supplies they would need to stay safe during and after a disaster," Jim Zingale, the executive diirector of the Florida Department of Revenue, wrote in a statement.

The following supplies will be sales tax exempt:

• A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less
• A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less
• An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less
• A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less
• A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less
• A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less
• A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less
• A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less
• A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less
• A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of $50 or less
• A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less
• A portable self-powered light source* (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with a sales price of $40 or less
• Flashlights
• Lanterns
• Candles
• Eligible light sources and radios qualify for the exemption, even if electrical cords are included in the purchase.
• Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less

• Supplies necessary for the evacuation of household pets. For purposes of this exemption, necessary supplies means the noncommercial purchase of:
  • Bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $100 or less per bag
  • Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item
  • Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less
  • Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item
  • Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $25 or less per item
  • Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item
  • Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package
  • Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item
  • Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item
  • Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item
  • Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package
  • Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package
  • Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case

There is no limit to the number of items that can be purchased during the sales tax holiday. Items purchased online will be sales tax exempt if the order is placed during the qualifying period.

The sales tax holiday bill was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Revenue website.

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